Rosetta

The European Space Agency Rosetta
Mission is a cometary mission which will launch in 2003 in an
Ariane 5 rocket. After a long cruise during which the spacecraft will
get 2 gravity assists from Earth and one from Mars, the spacecraft will
take measurements during 2 asteroid flybys. The spacecraft will slowly
orbit the comet 46P/Wirtanen, to examine the dust and gases coming from
the comet. A lander will hop around on the surface and drill into the
surface. The mission goals include the measuremnets of the density of
the comet, resolution the of the question of the dust to ice ratio,
investigation of the cause of the low albedo (is the interior also
dark?), why some regions are highly active, and what the composition is
of the comet and whether the organics are relevant to the question of
life on Earth.

Mission Timeline

Jan 2003 - Launch and Commissioning

2005 - Mars gravity assist

2006 - Earth gravity assist; Mimistrobell fly-by

2007 - Earth gravity assist

2008 - Rodari fly-by

2011 - rendezvous maneuver

2012-2013 - Near comet operations

IRTF Mission Support

Observations of the nucleus physical characteristics: size,
albedo, rotation is neede for planning of photographc aspects of
mission. (simultaneous thermal IR and optical)

Knowledge of the dust environment is needed to allow for proper
protection of the spacecraft.